Physician-Chief of Geriatrics & Extended Care

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 26 - 2025. The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut‑off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.

Qualifications

• Meet all basic requirements and any additional requirements listed in the announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
• United States citizenship. Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Doctor of medicine or equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from a school approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. Required options:
  • Approved ACGME or AOA residency program in the year completed.
  • One year of post‑medical school training (internship or transitional year) followed by two years of independent practice.
  • Non‑U.S. residency training followed by at least three years of independent practice in the United States.
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited programs who otherwise meet the basic requirements may be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs) on an intermittent basis.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred experience: five or more years working in geriatrics and extended care.
• Experience with nursing home contracts.
• Physical requirements: able to perform all activities of the position without restriction, including standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, turning, and using flights of stairs.

Duties

• Provide comprehensive clinical care within the VA system, including oversight of the Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, and other geriatric care programs.
• Manage program operations to ensure regulatory compliance and person‑centered care delivery.
• Lead the Home Based Primary Care program and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to deliver primary care to high‑risk veterans.
• Work with palliative care and hospice leadership to guarantee seamless end‑of‑life services.
• Coordinate care transitions across all geriatric and extended care programs to reduce avoidable hospitalizations.
• Champion a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement, overseeing key national geriatric metrics such as fall prevention, pain management, pressure injury prevention, restraint reduction, and MDS/OASIS accuracy.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a multidisciplinary geriatric workforce, fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment.
• Conduct performance evaluations, competency assessments, and disciplinary actions in accordance with VA HR policy.
• Mentor clinical staff, trainees, and affiliated academic partners.
• Develop expansion and innovation efforts to meet evolving veteran needs, including new programs and partnerships.
• Represent the VA Augusta Geriatric and Extended Care at local, VISN, and national conferences, workgroups, and committees.
• Ensure compliance with privacy, HIPAA, and information security policies, and utilize VA data systems to monitor program performance.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting for all geriatric programs.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 8:00 am–4:30 pm, with potential changes based on agency needs.

Rewards and Benefits

• VA comprehensive total rewards package including competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases.
• Paid time off: 50–55 days per year (including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and CME absence).
• Traditional federal pension, 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance (many programs extend into retirement).
• Full and unrestricted license required from any U.S. state or territory.
• Possible CME reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for full‑time, board‑certified physicians.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No significant restriction on moonlighting.